Notice of By-election

A By-election to elect a Councillor for the East Renfrewshire Council Electoral Ward 1: Barrhead, Liboside and Uplawmoor will be held on Thursday 21 August 2025Find out more and view the election timetable.

Business grant types - April 2025 to March 2026

Find out about the types of grants available, what can be funded and what's excluded.

Before you start

All businesses will be asked to provide:

  • evidence of an open business bank account - last 2 months bank statement (or letter confirming account is opened for a new business).
  • a financial projection sheet indicating level of predicted sales and business costs for the next (or first for new businesses) year of trading following any application for a grant.
  • annual accounts for businesses trading over 12 months
  • evidence of appropriate insurance policies held e.g. public liability / stock / employer policies etc.
  • Equal Opportunities  or Fair Work Practices policy if staff employed
  • all businesses will need to demonstrate trading through evidence such as:
    • bank statements showing trading
    • e-commerce website or social media presence
    • copies of invoices raised or purchase orders received
  • new businesses would need to provide evidence of start date of their business if there is no trading evidence at time of application.
  • larger value grants may require further evidence at application stage

Types of grants available



What can the grants be used for?

Funding can support the purchase of:

  • New equipment
  • IT hardware purchases (excluding tablets or mobile phones)
  • Tooling costs
  • Property extensions or improvements. Please note this applies to commercial premises only
  • Exhibiting at home or overseas
  • Marketing and e-commerce activities
  • Tourism and events that can demonstrate increased tourism activity
  • Developing new products or processes
  • Innovation or research
  • Bespoke software design to develop new systems, processes and e-commerce activity

All equipment purchases and improvements should demonstrate energy efficiencies and the ability to improve production or facilities or introduce new products or services.

Laptop purchases are capped at £400 per unit.

What's excluded from funding?

We are unable to approve any grants where the purchase or order has already been made.

In general, grant funds can't be used towards:

  • Equipment / software etc. already purchased. The purchase of any furniture, equipment or consumables needed to run a business
  • The purchase of tablets and mobile phones
  • Routine property maintenance
  • Development and marketing of information websites and brochures etc, which lack a clear focus on e-commerce development
  • Lead lists and databases
  • Social media marketing / advertising
  • Purchase and installation of off-the-shelf software packages (e.g. Microsoft Office software, standard Sage packages etc.)
  • Purchases made via hire purchase, lease or other finance agreement
  • Employee wages
  • Staff Training costs
  • Vehicles
  • General purchase of stock
  • Business running or monthly costs
  • Standard websites not offering any selling or ability to trade on line
  • Travel costs

More Information

If you have questions regarding this process, we are happy to discuss them. 

Please contact us in the first instance at business@eastrenfewshire.gov.uk

Last modified on 1 July 2025